Safe Superintelligence (SSI), the venture founded by former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, has made a significant splash in the tech world with its recent funding round. The company has raised $1 billion to develop AI systems that surpass human capabilities while prioritizing safety.
The funding will be used to acquire computing power and hire top talent in the field, as SSI looks to build a small team of highly trusted researchers and engineers split between Palo Alto, California, and Tel Aviv, Israel. The company has currently employed 10 people and aims to expand its workforce with individuals who share its mission.
Investor Confidence in AI Safety
The investment demonstrates that some investors remain committed to funding exceptional talent focused on foundational AI research despite a general decrease in interest towards such companies. The funds have been provided by top venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital.
The Role of Sutskever and Gross
The company's valuation has not been disclosed, but sources close to the matter suggest it stands at $5 billion. Ilya Sutskever, who co-founded SSI with Daniel Gross, serves as chief scientist while Gross is responsible for computing power and fundraising. Levy, a former OpenAI researcher, serves as principal scientist.
Focus on Culture and Talent
SSI places significant emphasis on hiring individuals who share its culture and values. The company prioritizes candidates with extraordinary capabilities over those who may have impressive credentials or experience in the field but lack a strong understanding of SSI's mission.
Partnerships and Computing Power
The venture plans to partner with cloud providers and chip companies to meet its computing power needs. However, it has yet to decide which firms will be involved in this partnership, mirroring the strategy often adopted by AI startups such as Microsoft and Nvidia.
Sutskever's Approach to Scaling
SSI founder Ilya Sutskever was an early proponent of scaling, a hypothesis that AI models would improve in performance with vast amounts of computing power. However, he plans to approach scaling differently than his former employer.
Conclusion
The funding of Safe Superintelligence is seen as a positive development for the industry despite waning interest in companies focused on AI safety. The venture's commitment to prioritizing safety and its unique approach to hiring may set it apart from other players in the field.